by replies

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "by replies" is not standard in written English and may cause confusion.
It could be used in contexts where you are referring to actions or responses that occur through replies, but it is not commonly used. Example: "The decision was made by replies from the committee members."

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

Bolstered by replies from celebrities like Katy Perry, the account picked up legions of online fans.

The New Yorker

Skiverton was inundated by replies, from supporters suggesting non-league wannabes to players rotting in the Premier League reserves.

Independent

After idly tweeting on the subject a few days ago, I was swamped by replies from people assuring me they too were suffering from the very same neurosis.

The Guardian - Film

Combativeness between defendants and opponents was fueled by replies that trade libels across the Channel.

SEP

Some brands doing early beta testing with Promoted Tweets are seeing, on average, 2.5percentt "engagement rates," as measured by replies, retweets, clicks and so on.

TechCrunch

While each tweet can be retweeted, be addressed to other users by replies, or relate to specific context by a hashtag, information spreading on Twitter can also work in other ways: Tweets can additionally contain photos, videos with a maximum length of six seconds or additional web links.

European Journal of Futures Research

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

If your overlord approves of your request by replying with "unblock," you can use the phone.

The New York Times - Tech

This should largely reduce the benefit of "top-posting" by replying to the first comment.

The Guardian - Opinion

As if by reply, Kaepernick donated fifty thousand dollars to Meals on Wheels on Tuesday.

The New Yorker

Edgar cleverly wriggles out of it by replying: "Simon and Garfunkel, 1969...

The New York Times - Books

Turbo Paul could have scuppered the undercover operations by replying to Harkin, he stressed, but he hadn't.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "by replies", ensure the context clearly indicates that the replies are the means through which something is achieved or communicated. If clarity is a concern, consider alternatives like "through responses" or "via replies".

Common error

Avoid using "by replies" when the replies are merely associated with an event, rather than being the direct cause or method. For instance, instead of saying "The event was marked by replies", consider "The event elicited many replies".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "by replies" functions as a prepositional phrase, indicating the means or method through which something is achieved. As shown in Ludwig, it specifies that actions or decisions are driven by the responses received.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

43%

Wiki

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "by replies" is a grammatically acceptable but uncommon prepositional phrase used to indicate that something is influenced or achieved through responses. Ludwig highlights that while it appears in various contexts such as news, science, and wikis, alternatives like "through responses" or "via replies" may offer better clarity and are generally more preferred. Be mindful of clarity and agency when using "by replies" to avoid misinterpretations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

through responses

Replaces "replies" with the more general term "responses", focusing on the act of answering.

via replies

Substitutes "by" with "via", another preposition indicating means or agency.

in response to

Replaces the entire phrase with a more formal and direct prepositional phrase.

as a reaction to

Shifts the focus to the reactive nature of the response.

following responses

Emphasizes the sequence of events, with responses coming after an initial action.

based on replies

Highlights that something is determined or influenced by the content of the replies.

according to the replies

Indicates that information or decisions are derived from the replies.

from the responses

Similar to "through responses", but places more emphasis on the origin of the information.

using replies

Focuses on the replies as a tool or method for achieving something.

on the basis of replies

A more formal way of saying "based on replies", emphasizing the foundation for a decision or action.

FAQs

What does "by replies" mean?

"By replies" means that something is happening or being influenced through the act of responding. It suggests that the responses themselves are the method or medium through which an action or result occurs.

How can I use "by replies" in a sentence?

You can use "by replies" to indicate how feedback or answers are being used to achieve something. For example, "The decision was made "through responses" from the committee members".

Are there better alternatives to "by replies"?

Yes, depending on the context, phrases like "through responses", "via replies", or "in response to" may provide greater clarity and precision.

Is "by replies" grammatically correct?

While not incorrect, "by replies" is less common than alternatives. It is acceptable if the meaning is clear, but substituting it with a more standard phrase such as "through responses" is advisable for wider acceptance.